Vehicle roof structure

ABSTRACT

A vehicle roof structure is disclosed that includes a center roof rail, a pair of center roof rail braces and a pair of inner side roof rail panels. The center roof rail supports a mid-portion of a vehicle roof. The pair of center roof rail braces has first and second ends with the first end of the center roof rail braces being directly bonded to opposite free ends of the center roof rail. The pair of inner side roof rail panels is each configured to form a portion of a vehicle side roof rail on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle roof structure. An inboard side of each of the inner side roof rail panels is directly bonded to the second ends of the center roof rail braces, respectively, without bonding the center roof rail to the inner side roof rail panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle roof structure.More specifically, the present invention relates to a connection betweena center roof rail of the vehicle roof structure and an inner side roofrail of the vehicle roof structure.

2. Background Information

Many vehicles utilize a conventional unitized (self-supporting) vehiclebody that is built from hollow sheet metal components onto which bodypanels are welded. Generally, the structural configurations of theseunitized vehicle bodies are continuously being improved for a variety ofreasons. For instance, these unitized vehicle bodies have been developedso as to simplify the assembly process, and thereby reducingmanufacturing costs. Moreover, these unitized vehicle bodies have beenextensively redesigned over the years to make the vehicles safer inorder to protect passengers in the event of an accident.

It is therefore important for a vehicle roof support structure to besimple to manufacture and provide strength and rigidity to protectpassengers in the event of impact from the side. One measure of thestrength and rigidity of the roof support structure is the offsetdeformable barrier tests (ODB).

The inner side roof rail of a vehicle is typically a support member thatsupports a center roof rail that in turn supports a central portion of avehicle roof. In conventional roof support structures, the center roofrail is typically fixed directly to the inner side roof rail. Theconnection between the inner side roof rail and the center roof rail hasseveral drawbacks. First, it requires that the inner side roof rail beformed with structure that allows for connection to the center roofrail. This structure can create a discontinuity in the inner side roofrail and be a weak point in the roof support structure. Further, suchstructure can add cost to the manufacturing process.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved vehicleroof structure. This invention addresses this need in the art as well asother needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been discovered that in the construction and manufacture of aroof support structure in a vehicle, structural design changes canimprove the strength of the roof support structure and reducemanufacturing costs.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve thestrength and rigidity of a roof support structure in a vehicle, therebymaking the vehicle safer.

It is also an object of the present invention to reduce the cost ofmanufacturing a roof support structure in a vehicle.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicleroof structure that includes a center roof rail, a center roof railbrace and an inner side roof rail panel. The center roof rail isconfigured to support a mid-portion of a vehicle roof. The center roofrail brace has first and second ends with the first end of the centerroof rail brace being directly bonded to a free end portion of thecenter roof rail. An inner side roof rail panel is configured to form aportion of a vehicle side roof rail on a first lateral side of thevehicle roof structure. An inboard side of the inner side roof railpanel is directly bonded to the second end of the center roof rail bracewithout bonding the center roof rail to the inner side roof rail panel.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a vehicle that includes a roofsupport structure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of selected portions of the vehicle bodydepicted in FIG. 1, with portions of the vehicle removed to showfeatures of a unibody structure of the vehicle in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view, similar to FIG. 2, of a portionof the roof support structure with a parts cutaway to reveal features ofthe roof support structure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 2, of selected portions ofthe vehicle body with the roof completely removed to show features ofthe roof support structure, including a front roof rail, a pair of frontroof rail braces, a pair of center roof rail braces and a center roofrail in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first side body portion of the vehiclethat includes portions of the roof support structure, such as one of thefront roof rail braces and one of the center roof rail braces, withother portions of the roof rail structure removed to provide greaterclarity in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the first side body portion ofthe vehicle, basically showing various elements depicted in FIG. 5separated from one another to provide greater clarity, in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second side body portion of thevehicle that includes portions of the roof support structure, such asthe other of the pair of front roof rail braces and the other of thepair of center roof rail braces, with other portions of the roof railstructure removed to provide greater clarity, in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the second side body portionof the vehicle, basically showing various elements depicted in FIG. 7separated from one another to provide greater clarity, in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the front roof rail of the roof supportstructure shown removed from the vehicle to provide greater clarity, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the front roof rail as seen alongsection line 10-10 in FIG. 9 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 cross sectional view similar to FIG. 10, that shows details ofthe contact and bonding between the front roof rail, the front roof railbrace and vehicle roof in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the center roof rail shown removed fromthe roof support structure, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 an exploded perspective view of the center roof rail showingcenter roof rail and a reinforcement member in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the center roof rail as seen alongsection line 14-14 in FIG. 13, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the center roof rail correspondingto a line 15-15 in FIG. 13, showing the center roof rail and thereinforcement member, with the roof and the center roof rail braceadded, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the center roof rail as seen alongsection line 16-16 in FIG. 13, showing the center roof rail, thereinforcement member and the roof, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the vehicle roof partially cutawayto reveal details of the front roof rail, the front roof rail brace andthe A-pillar, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is another perspective view, from an angle different that inFIG. 17, showing the vehicle roof partially cutaway to reveal details ofthe front roof rail, the front roof rail brace and the A-pillar, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is yet another perspective view from underneath, showing thevehicle roof partially cutaway and revealing details of the front roofrail, the front roof rail brace and the A-pillar, in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view showing the bonding connectionsbetween the front roof rail brace, an inner A-pillar portion, areinforcement portion of the A-pillar and an outer side portion of thevehicle side body, along with the front roof rail and the vehicle roof,in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the roof supportstructure showing the front rail brace and portions of the A-pillar, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view looking down at the vehicle roof, withportions of the vehicle roof cutaway to show details of the center roofrail, the center roof rail brace and the first side body portion, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view looking down at the vehicle roof from aslightly different angle than in FIG. 22, with portions of the vehicleroof cutaway to show details of the center roof rail, the center roofrail brace and the first side body portion, in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 24 is yet another perspective view looking upward from within thevehicle at the roof support structure showing the center roof rail, thecenter roof rail brace and the first side body portion, with portions ofthe vehicle roof cutaway, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view showing the bonding connectionsbetween the vehicle roof, the center roof rail brace and portions of aside roof rail, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the center roof rail brace andportions of the side roof rail, in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained withreference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart from this disclosure that the following descriptions of theembodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration onlyand not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 is illustrated that isequipped with a roof support structure 12 in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention. The roof support structure 12 ofthe present invention provides improved strength and rigidity in offsetdeformable barrier tests (ODB) as compared to conventional roof supportstructures, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thedrawings and description below. It should be understood that portions ofthe vehicle 10 that assist in understanding the present invention aredescribed below. However, descriptions of various conventional portionsof the vehicle 10, such as non-roof related body structure, suspension,drive train, etc., are omitted for brevity.

As shown in FIG. 2, the roof support structure 12 supports a vehicleroof 14 that is coupled to a pair of side body portions 16 and 18. Thevehicle 10 is preferably formed with a unibody construction, but canalternatively be constructed using any of a variety of otherconventional construction techniques. As will be understood in thefollowing description, various elements and sections of the roof supportstructure 12 also form an upper portion of each of the first and secondside body portions 16 and 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle roof 14 is basically a panel with aslightly curved contour that includes a front attachment portion 20 anda pair of side attachment portions 22. As described in greater detailbelow, the front attachment portion 20 and the side attachment portions22 are preferably fixed to specific portions of the roof supportstructure 12 by welding techniques, such as spot welding.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the roof support structure 12 furtherincludes, among other things, a front roof rail 24, a pair front roofrail braces 26 (only one shown in FIG. 3), a pair of A-pillars 28, apair of side roof rails 30, a center roof rail or bow 32, a center roofrail reinforcement member 34 and a pair of center roof rail braces 36.

FIG. 5 shows the first side body portion 16 removed from the vehicle 10and the fixed attachment relationships between one of the A-pillars 28and one of the front roof rail braces 26, and between one of the sideroof rails 30 and one of the center roof rail braces 36. FIG. 6 is anexploded view of the first side body portion 16 showing the separateelements that form portions of the roof support structure 12.Specifically, FIG. 6 shows one of the A-pillars 28, one of the side roofrails 30, one of the front roof rail braces 26 and one of the centerroof rail braces 36.

Similarly, FIG. 7 shows the second side body portion 18 removed from thevehicle 10 and the fixed attachment relationships between the other ofthe pair of A-pillars 28 and the other of the pair of front roof railbraces 26, and between other of the pair of side roof rails 30 and otherof the pair of the center roof rail braces 36. FIG. 8 is an explodedview of the showing the second side body portion 18 showing the separateelements that form the main portions of the roof support structure 12.Specifically, FIG. 8 shows the other of the pair of A-pillars 28, theother of the pair of side roof rails 30, the other of the pair of frontroof rail braces 26 and the other of the pair of center roof rail braces36. As explained further below, the front roof rail braces 26 are weldedto respective ones of the A-pillars 28 and the center roof rail braces36 are welded to respective ones of the side roof rails 30 making strongjoints that add rigidity and strength to the roof support structure 12.

As clear from FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, the first body side portion 16 andthe second body side portion 18 and respective portions thereof thatform the roof support structure 12 are generally mirror images of oneanother. Description of elements and portions from one of the body sideportion applies to the other body side portion. Since the pair of frontrail braces 26 are generally mirror images of one another, thedescription of one front rail brace 26 below is provided for brevity.Similarly, the description below of one of the pair of A-pillars 28, andone of the pair of center roof rail braces 36 is provided for brevity.

The front roof rail 24 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 as being removed fromthe vehicle 10 and the roof support structure 12. The front roof rail 24forms a front portion of the vehicle roof, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3with the front attachment portion 20 of the vehicle roof 14 fixedlyattached to the front roof rail 24 by, for instance, spot weldingtechniques. The front roof rail 24 basically includes a first end 38, asecond end 40, a mid-portion 41, an underside 42 (see FIGS. 10 and 19)and a front gusset 43. The first and second ends 38 and 40 are fixedlyattached to respective ones of the pair of front roof rail braces 26, byfor instance, welding techniques. The front roof rail 24 is formed witha generally uniform U-shape, as shown in FIG. 10. However, U-shape ofthe mid-portion 41 is slightly wider that the U-shape of the first andsecond ends 38 and 40. Specifically, the first and second ends 38 and 40of the front roof rail 24 have a slightly narrower U-shaped profile thanthe mid-portion 41, as indicated in FIG. 9. The front gusset 43 extendsthe entire length of the front roof rail 24. As shown in FIG. 11, thefront attachment portion 20 is boned to the front gusset 43 by, forinstance, spot welding or other welding techniques.

One of the pair front roof rail braces 26 is shown in FIG. 21. The frontroof rail brace 26 includes a first end 44, a second end 46 and amid-portion 48 extending between the first end 44 and the second end 46.As shown in FIG. 11, the first end 44 of the front roof rail brace 26has a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section. As shown in FIGS. 17,18 and 19 the first end 44 is fixedly attached to the underside 42 ofthe front roof rail 24 at the first end 38 thereof, for example, spotwelding techniques.

The U-shaped transverse cross-section of the first end 44 of the frontroof rail brace 26 has a configuration that conforms to the U-shapedtransverse cross-section of the first end 38 of the front roof rail 24.It should be understood from the drawing and description herein that theother of the pair of front roof rail braces 26 also has a configurationthat conforms to the U-shaped transverse cross-section of the second end40 of the front roof rail 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the frontattachment portion 20 of the vehicle roof 14 is directly bond to thefront roof rail brace 26 by, for example, spot welding or other weldingtechniques.

The second end 46 of the front roof rail brace 26 extends downwardlyrelative to the first end 44 of the front roof rail brace 26, as shownin FIGS. 19, 20 and 21. The second end 46 includes a generally flat endportion 50 formed at a distal end thereof. The generally flat endportion 50 is fixedly attached to a portion of the A-pillar 28, asdescribed in greater detail below.

The mid-portion 48 of the front roof rail brace 26 has a bent portion52, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. The first end 44 and the mid-portion 48of the front roof rail brace 26 have generally U-shaped contours.However, the U-shaped contour of the mid-portion 48 at the bent portion52 has a larger height that the U-shaped contour of the first end 44.Specifically in the bent portion 52, the U-shaped contour defines aheight H1 that is larger than a height H₂ defined by the U-shapedcontour of the first end 44, as shown in FIG. 20. As shown in FIGS. 3and 4, the front roof rail 24 extends perpendicularly from the A-pillar28 via the front roof rail brace 26. The configuration of the front roofrail brace 26 provides greater rigidity and strength to the roof supportstructure 12 as compared to conventional roof structure configurations.

The A-pillar 28 is now described in greater detail with respect to FIG.6 (and FIG. 8). However it should be understood that the description ofthe A-pillar 28 also applies to the second of the pair of A-pillars 28depicted in FIG. 8, which includes like reference numerals. The A-pillar28 basically includes an inner A-pillar panel 54, a reinforcementportion 56 and an outer side portion 58. The inner A-pillar panel 54,the reinforcement portion 56 and the outer side portion 58 are bonded toone another by, for example, welding techniques to form the A-pillar 28,as shown in cross-section in FIG. 20.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the inner A-pillar panel 54 is basically anelongated member that includes a lower end 60, a mid-portion 62, aconnection portion 64 and an upper end 66. Along its length, the innerA-pillar panel 54 is generally formed with a U-shaped contour ortransverse cross-section. The U-shaped contour provides the innerA-pillar panel 54 with a concave surface 68 that faces toward anoutboard side of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the concave surface 68confronts the reinforcement portion 56. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3, 17,18 and 20, the first end 38 of the front roof rail 24 is spaced apartfrom the inner A-pillar panel 54 due to the respective fixed attachmentswith the front roof rail brace 26.

With reference again to FIG. 6, at the lower end 60 of the innerA-pillar panel 54 the U-shaped contour diverges toward the distal endthereof. As a result, the lower end 60 gets wider approaching its distalend. Along the mid-portion 62 of the inner A-pillar panel 54, theU-shaped contour is generally uniform, but can get slightly largerextending upward toward the connection portion 64. The connectionportion 64 is also formed with a generally constant overall transversecross sectional that is U-shaped.

The connection portion 64 includes a mid-portion 70 with a generallyflat or planar area and first and second bent gusset portions 72 and 74on opposite sides of the mid-portion 70. As shown in FIGS. 17, 19 and20, the flat end portion 50 of the second end 46 of the front roof railbrace 26 is bonded to the inward side of the generally flat area of themid-portion 70 of the connection portion 64. Specifically, the flat endportion 50 is bonded to the mid-portion 70 by, for example, weldingtechniques, such as spot welding. Therefore, the shape and configurationof the front roof rail brace 26 is such that the generally U-shapedtransverse cross-section of the first end 44 of the front roof railbrace 26 is located above the generally flat area of the mid-portion 70connection portion 64 of the inner A-pillar panel 54.

As should be clear from the drawings, in particular, FIG. 6, at leastfrom proximate the upper end 66 of the inner A-pillar panel 54 throughthe connection portion 64 is formed with the substantially constanttransverse cross section. As shown in FIG. 20, the vehicle roof 14 isdirectly bonded to the front roof rail braces 26 at an area between theinner A-pillar panels 54 and the opposite ends (first and second ends 38and 40) of the front roof rail 24.

Returning again to FIG. 6 (and FIG. 8), the reinforcement portion 56 isbasically an elongated member that includes a lower end 76, a transitionportion 80 and an upper end 82. Along its length, reinforcement portion56 is generally formed with a U-shaped contour or U-shaped transversecross-section. The U-shaped contour provides the reinforcement portion56 with a concave surface 84 (shown in FIG. 8) that faces toward aninboard side of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the concave surface 84confronts the concave surface 68 of the inner A-pillar panel 54.

At lower end 76 the U-shaped contour deepens toward the distal endthereof. As a result, the lower end 76 extends outwardly with respect tothe vehicle 10 approaching its distal end. Along the mid-portion 78 ofthe reinforcement portion 56, the U-shaped contour is generally uniform,but can get slightly larger extending upward toward the transitionportion 80. The transition portion 80 is also formed with a generallyconstant overall transverse cross sectional that is U-shaped.Specifically, the transition portion 80 includes a generally flat orplanar area and first and second bent gusset portions 86 and 88 onopposite sides of the generally flat area.

As indicated in FIG. 6, the lower end 76 of the reinforcement portion 56extends into a portion of the first side body portion 16 for attachmentthereto. The lower end 76 is welded or otherwise bonded to the firstside body portion 16 to provide rigidity and strength for the A-pillar28 within the vehicle 10. As also indicated in FIG. 6 (and FIG. 8), thefirst and second bent gusset portions 86 and 88 of the reinforcementportion 56 are bonded to the first bent gusset portion 72 and the secondbent gusset portion 74, respectively, of the inner A-pillar panel 54.

The outer side portion 58 is formed at an upper area of the first sidebody portion 16, as shown in FIG. 6. The outer side portion 58 can be aseparate element welded to the first side body portion 16, oralternatively can be formed unitarily with the first side body portion16 as a single element. The outer side portion 58 is formed with aslightly contorted U-shaped contour that includes a U-shaped portion 90,a first gusset portion 92 and a second gusset portion 94. The U-shapedportion 90 forms an outer shell of the A-pillar 28 that is typicallyfinished with paint and other protective coatings.

As shown in FIG. 20, the U-shaped portion 90 is spaced apart from thetransition portion 80 of the reinforcement portion 56 to provide furtherstrength and rigidity to the A-pillar 28. The first gusset portion 92 isbonded to the first bent gusset portion 86 of the reinforcement portion56 by, for example, spot welding or other welding techniques. Similarly,the second gusset portion 94 is bonded to the second bent gusset portion88 of the reinforcement portion 56 by, for example, spot welding orother welding techniques. Together, the inner A-pillar panel 54, thereinforcement portion 56 and the outer side portion 58 form the A-pillar28 of the roof support structure 12.

The configuration and various attachments between the A-pillar 28, thefront roof rail brace 26 and the front roof rail 24 provide the roofsupport structure 12 with rigidity and strength that is an improvementover conventional designs.

The side roof rail 30 is now described in greater detail with specificreference to FIGS. 6 and 8. The side roof rail 30 is an elongated memberthat basically includes an inner roof side rail panel 96, a sidereinforcement portion 98 and a side outer portion 100 that are bondedtogether, by, for example, spot welding or other welding techniques.

The inner roof side rail panel 96 is a U-shaped member that includes aforward portion 102, a central portion 104, a first gusset portion 106and a second gusset portion 108. The forward portion 102 of the innerroof side rail panel 96 is fixedly attached to the upper end 66 of theinner A-pillar panel 54 by, for example, spot welding techniques orother welding techniques. However, as should be understood from thedrawings and description of the present invention that the inner roofside rail panel 96 and the inner A-pillar panel 54 can be unitarilyformed as a single member, or can be separate elements welded orotherwise bonded together.

The central portion 104 of the inner roof side rail panel 96 is agenerally planar portion that extends the length of the inner roof siderail panel 96. Further, the central portion 104 has an inboard or inwardside 110 shown in FIG. 8. The central portion 104 of the inner roof siderail panel 96 is also generally continuous with the mid-portion 70 ofthe connection portion 64 of the inner A-pillar panel 54. Likewise, thefirst and second gusset portions 106 and 108 are generally continuouswith the first and second bent gusset portions 72 and 74 of the innerA-pillar panel 54. Further, at least the forward portion 102 of theinner side roof rail panel 90 adjacent to the connection portion 64 ofthe inner A-pillar panel 54 is formed with the generally constantoverall transverse cross sectional shape of the connection portion 64 ofthe inner A-pillar panel 54. Further, the U-shaped contour of inner roofside rail panel 96 in generally continuous with the U-shaped contour atthe upper end 66 inner A-pillar panel 54, with some possible dimensionalvariations.

As shown in FIG. 6, the side reinforcement portion 98 is a U-shapedmember that includes a forward portion 112, a central portion 114, afirst gusset portion 116 and a second gusset portion 118. The forwardportion 112 of the side reinforcement portion 98 is fixedly attached tothe upper end 82 of the reinforcement portion 56 by, for example, spotwelding techniques or other welding techniques. However, as should beunderstood from the drawings and description of the present inventionthat the side reinforcement portion 98 and the reinforcement portion 56can be unitarily formed as a single member, or can be separate elementswelded or otherwise bonded together.

The central portion 114 of the side reinforcement portion 98 extends thelength of the side reinforcement portion 98. The central portion 114 andthe first and second gusset portions 116 and 118 of the sidereinforcement portion 98 are generally continuous with the transitionportion 80 of the reinforcement portion 56. Further, the U-shapedcontour of inner side reinforcement portion 98 is generally continuouswith the U-shaped contour of the transition portion 80 of thereinforcement portion 56 with some possible dimensional variations.

As indicated in FIG. 6 (and FIG. 8), the first and second bent gussetportions 116 and 118 of the side reinforcement portion 98 are bonded tothe first and the second gusset portions 106 and 108 of the inner roofrail panel 96, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 25, the side outer portion 100 is formed witha slightly contorted U-shaped contour that includes a U-shaped portion120, a first gusset portion 122 and a second gusset portion 124. TheU-shaped portion 120 forms an outer shell of the side roof rail 30 thatis typically finished with paint and other protective coatings. The sideouter portion 100 can be a separate element welded to the first sidebody portion 16. Alternatively, the side outer portion 100 can be formedunitarily with the first side body portion 16 as a single element. Thesecond side body portion 16 and the side outer portion 100 have asimilar relationship.

As shown in FIG. 25, the U-shaped portion 120 is spaced apart from thecentral portion 114 of the side reinforcement portion 98 to providefurther strength and rigidity to the side roof rail 30. The first gussetportion 122 is bonded to the first gusset portion 116 of the sidereinforcement portion 98 by, for example, spot welding or other weldingtechniques. Similarly, the second gusset portion 124 is bonded to thesecond gusset portion 118 of the side reinforcement portion 98 by, forexample, spot welding or other welding techniques. Together, the innerroof rail panel 96, the side reinforcement portion 98 and the side outerportion 100 form the side roof rail 30 of the roof support structure 12.

The center roof rail 32 is now described with respect to FIGS. 12, 13,14, 15, 16 and 25. The center roof rail 32 is configured to support amid-portion of a vehicle roof 14. The center roof rail 32 basicallyincludes an upper surface 125, a first end 126, a central portion 128and a second end 130. The first and second ends 126 and 130 each includea free end portion 131 and a mounting portion 132. Throughout most ofits length, the center roof fail 32 has a generally U-shaped transversecross-section. However, at the central portion 128, the width of theU-shaped transverse cross-section becomes wider, as shown in FIGS. 12and 13. The mounting portion 132 is generally formed on a lower surfaceof the free end portion 131.

The center roof rail reinforcement member 34 is an elongated membershown in FIG. 13 whose sides conform generally to the shape of thecenter roof rail 32. Specifically, the center roof rail reinforcementmember 34 is dimensioned to overly a majority of the upper surface 125of the center roof rail 32. As shown in FIG. 15, the center roof railreinforcement member 34 contacts outer edge portions of the uppersurface 125 of the center roof rail 32. The center roof railreinforcement member 34 is welded or otherwise fixedly attached to thecenter roof rail 32 providing structural strength and rigidity to the tothe center roof rail 32.

The center roof rail reinforcement member 34 is primarily a flatplate-like member that is formed with several ribs that protrude outwardfrom the center roof rail reinforcement member 34. However, the centerroof rail reinforcement member 34 is slightly shorter than the centerroof rail 32. Therefore, the free end portions 131 of the center roofrail 32 are exposed relative to the center roof rail reinforcementmember 34. The vehicle roof is directly bond to the free end portions ofthe center roof rail 32.

The center roof rail brace(s) 36 is now described with respect to FIGS.22, 23, 24, 25 and 26. The center roof rail brace 36 includes a firstend 134, an arcuate portion 136, and a second end 138. The first end 134includes a portion having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectionthat conforms to the U-shaped transverse cross-section of the first end126 (and second end 130) of the center roof rail 32. Specifically, theU-shaped transverse cross-section of the first end 134 is nested withthe free end portion 131 of the center roof rail 32. The first end 134includes an upper surface 140 that is directly bonded to the mountingportion 132 of the free end portion 131 of the first end 126 of thecenter roof rail 32 by, for example, spot welding or other weldingtechniques. Specifically, a portion of the center roof rail 32 overliesthe upper surface 140 of the first end 134 of the center roof rail brace36.

The arcuate portion 136 separates the first end 134 and second end 136such that the first and second ends 134 and 136 are angularly offsetfrom one another.

The second end 138 of the center roof rail brace 36 extends downwardlyfrom the first end 134 of the center roof rail brace 36 and a generallyflat end portion 142 formed at a distal end thereof. The flat endportion 142 of the second end 138 of the center roof rail brace 36contacts and is bonded to the inward side 110 of generally planarcentral portion 104 of the inner side roof rail panel 96 by, forexample, spot welding or other welding techniques. Further, as shown inFIG. 25, the inward side 110 is directly bonded to the flat end portion142 of the second end 136 of the center roof rail brace 36 withoutdirect contact or bonding to the center roof rail 32. As well, thecenter roof rail 32 has a length L₁ (FIG. 4) measured perpendicularlyrelative to the inner side roof rail panels 96 that is shorter than anoverall transverse distance measured perpendicularly between the innerside roof rail panels 96 such that the opposite free ends (first andsecond ends 126 and 130) of the center roof rail 32 are spaced inwardlyfrom the inner side roof rail panels 96.

The configuration and various attachments between the side roof rails30, the center roof rail braces 36 and the center roof rail 32 providethe roof support structure 12 with rigidity and strength that is animprovement over conventional designs.

As used herein to describe the above embodiments, the followingdirectional terms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical,horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similardirectional terms refer to those directions of a vehicle equipped withthe present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describethe present invention should be interpreted relative to a vehicleequipped with the present invention. Moreover, terms that are expressedas “means-plus function” in the claims should include any structure thatcan be utilized to carry out the function of that part of the presentinvention. The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and“approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation ofthe modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of atleast ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate themeaning of the word it modifies.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of theembodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Thus, the scope ofthe invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

1. A vehicle roof structure comprising: a center roof rail configured tosupport a mid-portion of a vehicle roof; a center roof rail brace havingfirst and second ends with the first end of the center roof rail bracebeing directly bonded to a free end portion of the center roof rail; andan inner side roof rail panel configured to form a portion of a vehicleside roof rail on a first lateral side of the vehicle roof structure,the inner side roof rail panel having an upper longitudinal edge and alower longitudinal edge, the second end of the center roof rail bracebeing directly bonded to an inboard side of the inner side roof railpanel between the upper longitudinal edge and the lower longitudinaledge of the inner side roof rail panel without bonding the center roofrail to the inner side roof rail panels and with the second end of thecenter roof rail brace being spaced apart from both the upperlongitudinal edge and the lower longitudinal edge of the inner side roofrail panel.
 2. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 1, whereinthe first end of the center roof rail brace includes a portion having agenerally U-shaped transverse cross-section.
 3. The vehicle roofstructure according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the centerroof rail brace extends downwardly from the first end of the center roofrail brace with a generally flat end portion formed at a distal end thatcontacts a generally planar portion of the inner side roof rail panel.4. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 3, wherein thegenerally flat end portion of the second end of the center roof railbrace is welded to the inner side roof rail panel and the first end ofthe center roof rail brace is welded to the center roof rail.
 5. Thevehicle roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the first end ofthe center roof rail brace has an upper surface contacting and bonded toa mounting portion of the center roof rail, and the second end of thecenter roof rail brace is contacting and bonded to the inner side roofrail panel.
 6. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 1, whereinthe center roof rail overlies an upper surface of the first end of thecenter roof rail brace.
 7. The vehicle roof structure according to claim1, further comprising a reinforcement member overlying a majority of anupper surface of the center roof rail.
 8. The vehicle roof structureaccording to claim 7, wherein the reinforcement member is bonded to thecenter roof rail such that the free end portion of the center roof railis spaced apart from the reinforcement member.
 9. The vehicle roofstructure according to claim 8, wherein the center roof rail overlies anupper surface of the first end of the center roof rail brace.
 10. Thevehicle roof structure according to claim 9, wherein the first end ofthe center roof rail brace includes a portion having a generallyU-shaped transverse cross-section that is nested with the free endportion of the center roof rail, which has a generally U-shapedtransverse cross-section.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The vehicle roof structureaccording to claim 8, wherein the first end of the center roof railbrace has an upper surface contacting and bonded to a mounting portionof the center roof rail, and the second end of the center roof railbrace is contacting and bonded to the inner side roof rail panel. 13.The vehicle roof structure comprising: a center roof rail configured tosupport a mid-portion of a vehicle roof; a pair of center roof railbraces having first and second ends with the first end of the centerroof rail braces being directly bonded to opposite free ends of thecenter roof rail; and a pair of inner side roof rail panels each beingconfigured to form a portion of a vehicle side roof rail on oppositelateral sides of the vehicle roof structure, and each having an upperlongitudinal edge and a lower longitudinal edge, an inboard side of eachof the inner side roof rail panels between the upper longitudinal edgeand the lower longitudinal edge of the inner side roof rail panel beingdirectly bonded to the second ends of the center roof rail braces,respectively, without bonding the center roof rail to the inner sideroof rail panels, with the second ends of the center roof rail bracesbeing spaced apart from both the upper longitudinal edge and the lowerlongitudinal edge of respective ones of the inner side roof rail panels.14. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 13, further comprisinga reinforcement member overlying a majority of an upper surface of thecenter roof rail.
 15. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 14,wherein the reinforcement member is bonded to the center roof rail suchthat the opposite free ends of the center roof rail are spaced apartfrom the reinforcement member.
 16. The vehicle roof structure accordingto claim 13, wherein the first ends of the center roof rail bracesinclude a portion having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectionthat are nested with the opposite free ends of the center roof rail,which have generally U-shaped transverse cross-sections.
 17. The vehicleroof structure according to claim 13, wherein the center roof rail has alength measured perpendicularly relative to the inner side roof railpanels that is shorter than an overall transverse distance measuredperpendicularly between the inner side roof rail panels such that theopposite free ends of the center roof rail are spaced inwardly from theinner side roof rail panels.
 18. The vehicle roof structure according toclaim 13, wherein the center roof rail overlies an upper surface of eachof the first ends of the center roof rail braces.
 19. The vehicle roofstructure according to claim 13, wherein the first ends of the centerroof rail braces have upper surfaces contacting and bonded to a mountingportion of a respective one of the center roof rail, and the second endsof the center roof rail braces are contacting and bonded to therespective one of the inner side roof rail panels.
 20. The vehicle roofstructure according to claim 19, wherein the center roof rail has alength measured perpendicularly relative to the inner side roof railpanels that is shorter than an overall transverse distance measuredperpendicularly between the inner side roof rail panels such that theopposite free ends of the center roof rail are spaced inwardly from theinner side roof rail panels.
 21. The vehicle roof structure according toclaim 20, further comprising a reinforcement member bonded to an uppersurface of the center roof rail such that the opposite free ends of thecenter roof rail are exposed relative to the reinforcement member. 22.The vehicle roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the first endof the center roof rail brace and the free end portion of the centerroof rail have approximately equal widths.
 23. The vehicle roofstructure according to claim 13, wherein the first ends of the centerroof rail brace and the free ends of the center roof rail haveapproximately equal widths.